Cleotha and her younger siblings Pervis, Yvonne, and Mavis began performing under the tutelage of their father Roebuck "Pops" Staples in the 1940s, and by the early 1950s, they had become a nationally known touring and recording group. Their first hit was 1957's "Uncloudy Day".

The Staple Singers became involved in the civil rights movement during the 1960s, performing at rallies with Dr. Martin Luther King. During the 1970s, they rang up a string of hits, including "I'll Take You There", "Respect Yourself", and "Let's Do It Again", among others. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.